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Turkish Press Review, 01-03-20
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
20.03.2001
CONTENTS
[01] NATIONAL PROGRAM ANNOUNCED
[02] ANKARA'S COMMITMENTS
[03] CEM: "OUR AIM IS TO HOLD NEGOTIATIONS IN 2003"
[04] EU COMMISSION PLEASED WITH TURKEY
[05] G-7 WELCOMES THE NATIONAL PROGRAM
[06] NATIONAL PROGRAM COSTS EURO 15 BILLION
[07] FIVE DRAFT LAWS TO BE ENACTED
[08] MACEDONIAN IMMIGRANTS TO COME TO TURKEY
[09] WOMEN VISIT PARLIAMENT FOR EQUAL SHARE OF ASSETS
[10] KIVRIKOGLU VISITS BANGLADESH
[11] TANTAN AND HIS RUSSIAN COUNTERPART DECIDE TO COOPERATE WITH EACH OTHER
[12] GEN. BUCSE IN TURKEY
[13] TURKEY INFORMS CHINA ON CYPRUS
[14] GUL IN ISRAEL
[15] PROF. ERDAL INONU IN BERLIN
[16] ENERGY MEETING HELD IN ANKARA
[17] ERSUMER: PEACE AND HARMONY MUST RULE IN ENERGY SECTOR
[18] SHEVARDNADZE: "SAHDENIZ AGGREMENT IS A GREAT VICTORY"
[19] DERVIS' STATEMENT CONCERNING THE NEW ECONOMIC PROGRAM
[20] FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT WITH IMF FOR $6.2 BILLION CREDIT
[21] PROMISE FOR STRONG SUPPORT FROM THE WORLD BANK
[22] TREASURY'S CRITICAL DAYS
[23] TURKISH TRADE DELEGATION RETURNS FROM JORDAN
[24] BUSINESSMEN SUPPORT ECONOMIC PROGRAM
[25] MUMCU'S TOURISM PROJECT
[26] KOSGEB'S TOUR TO GREECE
[27] ISTANBUL PREPARES TO HOST 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES
[28] TURKS PREPARE FOR OLDEST-KNOWN FESTIVAL
[29] MEDIUM TERM GOALS DOMINATE PROGRAM BY ILNUR CEVIK (TURKISH DAILY NEWS)
[01] NATIONAL PROGRAM ANNOUNCED
The Turkish government approved the National Program (NP) during the
meeting of the Council of Ministers yesterday. It was stated that
compromise was made from the disagreements before due to the economic
profits that Turkey will have if she becomes a member of the European
Union (EU). During the meeting, in which there was no disagreement, the
program was decided to be presented to the EU because of the problems
that might occur during the translation. The NP was announced by the
Deputy Prime Minister Responsible for the relations with the EU, Mesut
Yilmaz. Yilmaz said, "The announcement of this program proves the
government's determination concerning Turkey's membership in the EU.
/All papers/
[02] ANKARA'S COMMITMENTS
In the program, it was stated that the efforts will be made to solve
the problems through dialogue. The following was written concerning the
problem of Aegean and Cyprus: "Within the framework of her peaceful
foreign policy, Turkey will continue her initiatives to solve her
problems with Greece through dialogue. Turkey will continue to support
the efforts of the United Nations (UN) so that a new cooperation will
be established within the context of a solution that is acceptable and
dependent upon the truths about the island and the sovereign equality
of the parties in Cyprus. In the program, it was also stated that the
'Constitution and the Other Concerned Laws' would be changed within the
framework of the harmonization with the EU. It was further stated that
the issue of the structure and the function of the National Security
Council (NSC) would be reviewed in the middle term. In the chapter
titled 'Custody Before the Trial' under the title of the 'Political
Criteria', the following precautions are expected to be taken:
"Reviewing Article 19_6 of the Constitution", "Enacting the New
Criminal Trial Procedure Law", "Changing the State Security Court Law'.
In the National Program's 'Political Criteria' chapter, under the
subtitle of the 'Removal of the Capital Punishment', it is pointed out
that according to the Constitution, it is within the exclusive
authority of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) to decide
whether to carry out death sentences that were given in the past. The
issue of Kurdish language education did not take place in the National
Program openly. /Aksam/
[03] CEM: "OUR AIM IS TO HOLD NEGOTIATIONS IN 2003"
In his evaluation speech on the declaration of the National Program,
which is a milestone of Turkey's accession period to the EU, Foreign
Minister Ismail Cem said "Everything depends on us by now. Our aim is
to begin holding negotiations in 2003." Cem added, "The National
Program is a detailed work since it includes many issues regulating
social life in Turkey. The Foreign Ministry will explain the details of
the program to the EU countries this week. It does not matter if the
EU finds the program sufficient or not. It's very important that we
have a set target. There are certain sensitive issues such as the
abolition of capital punishment, the NSC (National Security Council),
and the Kurdish issue. There are ongoing legal works about the
abolishment of capital punishment. As far as the NSC is concerned, I
believe the increase in the numbers of the civilians in the NSC will be
a change in the vision of Turkey because the political structure should
be first strengthened in Turkey. The official language of the Republic
of Turkey is Turkish, so there is not any statement in the National
Program concerning the Kurdish issue. Additionally, the Cyprus issue
should be handled separately. >From now on, everything is in our
hands. We will decide what to do and how to do. The point is to
complete our preparations before 2003." /Cumhuriyet/
[04] EU COMMISSION PLEASED WITH TURKEY
Spokesman of the European Union (EU) Commission, Christophe Flori, said
they were pleased the National Program was accepted. Flori said, "We
have not received the document, but we expect the document to be sent
to the Commission officially by the Turkish Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Ismail Cem, next week. The Commission will examine the
National Program comparatively. It will be compared with the Accession
Partnership Document, which was presented by the EU, and then a
detailed explanation will be made concerning the issue". /Sabah/
[05] G-7 WELCOMES THE NATIONAL PROGRAM
Ministers of Finance of the developed G-7 countries, declared they
welcome the approval of the National Program by the Turkish Government.
A statement issued said, "G-7 countries welcomed the declaration of the
National program which includes powerful economic reforms for the
revival of the Turkish economy. To regain the trust and cooperation
with private sector is important. We continue to support those kinds of
efforts." /Turkiye/
[06] NATIONAL PROGRAM COSTS EURO 15 BILLION
Secretary General for the European Union, Volkan Vural, said Turkey
needed Euro 15 billion to be able to implement the reforms which were
foreseen in the National Program. Vural said the EU will give financial
support amounting Euro 4.5 billion to Turkey. According to the
information from the Secretariat General of the European Union, Euro 1
billion 403 million will be granted to and a credit amounting Euro 170
million will be given to Turkey between 2001-2006. Turkey will also
receive Euro 890 million within the framework of the MEDA 2 and be
granted Euro 150 million within the special cooperation. /Cumhuriyet/
[07] FIVE DRAFT LAWS TO BE ENACTED
The government is planning to enact five draft laws within the 'Urgent
Precautions Package'. Some of the changes to be made are as follows:
Turk Telekom, 33.5% of which was planning to be privatized previously,
is now planning to be privatized with the average of 51%. Turkish
Airlines (THY) will be professional with the change that will made in
the Civilian Aviation Law. THY will determine the prices of its
tickets. The Treasury will have a healthy structure. The Central Bank
Law will be harmonized with the European Union (EU). The changes to be
made in the Banking Law include strict control decisions. The new
control mechanisms will be implemented concerning the use of loans and
off-shore banks. /Sabah/
[08] MACEDONIAN IMMIGRANTS TO COME TO TURKEY
The clashes between the Albanian guerillas and the Macedonian security
forces has caused some civilians to immigrate to other countries,
including Turkey. Bulgarian border authorities stated approximately
2,000 Macedonian women and children are on their way to Turkey.
/Milliyet/
[09] WOMEN VISIT PARLIAMENT FOR EQUAL SHARE OF ASSETS
A 10 member committee formed by the representatives of various women's
associations visited Parliamentary Justice Commission members yesterday
in an effort to convince them of the need for an equal share of the
assets made during marriage in case of a divorce. Union of Turkish
Women Chairwoman Sema Kendirci said only 8.5 percent of Turkish women
have assets of their own and the rights of women should be carefully
protected. She said 90 % of Turkish women cannot protect their own
rights and they will apply a vote boycott to female deputies who do not
defend women's rights in the Parliament. /Turkish Daily News/
[10] KIVRIKOGLU VISITS BANGLADESH
The Chief of the General Staff, Huseyin Kivrikoglu began a six-day
South East Asian tour. Yesterday Kivrikoglu visited the Prime Minister
of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina. Hasina reiterated strong admiration for
the founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
Kivrikoglu also met with the Commander of the Bangladesh Land Forces,
Harun-Ur Reshid. /Milliyet/
[11] TANTAN AND HIS RUSSIAN COUNTERPART DECIDE TO COOPERATE WITH EACH
OTHER
Turkish Minister of the Interior, Sadettin Tantan, and his Russian
counterpart, Vladimir Rusaylo, had a phone conversation yesterday
concerning the Russian plane that was hijacked. The two Ministers sent
their condolences to one other for those who died during the action and
decided to cooperate with each other so that the hijack will be
investigated and a similar incident will not occur again. /Sabah/
[12] GEN. BUCSE IN TURKEY
Romanian Air Force Commander, Lieutenant General Gheorghe Bucse, in
Turkey to pay an official visit, met with Air Force Commander General
Ergin Celasin. Following the meeting, Gen. Celasin said Turkey has been
cooperating with the Romanian Air Force Command since 1992. Stressing
that they want to improve mutual cooperation with Turkey, Gen. Busce
said, "We desire to be a NATO member and want to benefit from Turkey's
experience." /Turkiye/
[13] TURKEY INFORMS CHINA ON CYPRUS
Turkish Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Yigit Alpogan who has
been in China on an official visit, asked Chinese officials to support
Turkey's policy on Cyprus. The visit is being carried out within the
scope of the Turkish-Chinese Action Plan signed between the two
countries during Chinese Foreign Minister Jang Jiaxuan's visit to
Turkey last year. Diplomatic sources in Beijing said the meeting was
very efficient and they had taken information about Cyprus. /Turkish
Daily News/
[14] GUL IN ISRAEL
A Virtue Party deputy and also a member of the "Council of European
Parliamentarians Assembly's Middle East Committee", Abdullah Gul, left
for Israel to hold meetings related to the Mideast Peace Negotiations.
/Turkiye/
[15] PROF. ERDAL INONU IN BERLIN
Prof. Erdal Inonu, currently in Dortmund, Germany, traveled to Berlin
as a guest of the Berlin Kemalist Thought Association. Inonu stated in
his speech to reporters that he did not want to take part in a newly
emerging party. He added, "They want me to lead this new political
initiative. However, I simply want to write my thoughts. I will not
take part in a new political party." /Cumhuriyet/
[16] ENERGY MEETING HELD IN ANKARA
The Strategic Technic Economic Research Center organized an "Energy
Arena" meeting in Ankara yesterday. Delivering a speech in the
meeting, former President Suleyman Demirel said Turkey has no other
alternative but to participate in world markets. He added, "Since EU
countries applications are better than ours, we have to adopt ourselves
to them." Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Cumhur Ersumer said
not fighting, but peace should be dominant in the energy sector.
European Union representative for Turkey, Ambassador Karen Fogg, also
attended the meeting. /Turkiye/
[17] ERSUMER: PEACE AND HARMONY MUST RULE IN ENERGY SECTOR
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Cumhur Ersumer said that peace
and cooperation were essential to solving Turkey's energy problems. A
discussion forum was held by the Strategic Technical Economic Research
Center (STEAM) at the Ankara Hilton yesterday, at which Ersumer
stressed that war and fighting had dominated the search for energy in
the 20th century, but that this would give way to cooperation and peace
in the 21st. The minister went on to say that Turkey's new role is to
be a bridge to deliver Caspian and Middle Eastern oil and natural gas
to western markets. Important steps have been taken to transport
Egyptian natural gas through the Lebanon, Jordan and Syria to Turkey
under a recent agreement with Syria, he added. /Turkish News/
[18] SHEVARDNADZE: "SAHDENIZ AGGREMENT IS A GREAT VICTORY"
Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze evaluated the Sahdeniz natural
gas agreement signed between Turkey and Azerbaijan as a "great
victory". In a statement, Shevardnadze said the agreement which
foresees Azeri natural gas transport through Georgia has a strategic
importance for his country. Stressing that the natural gas exported to
Turkey will be a remedy for Georgia's energy shortage, Shevardnadze
added, "The project in question will be as useful as the Baku-Ceyhan
Oil Pipeline Project." /Turkiye/
[19] DERVIS' STATEMENT CONCERNING THE NEW ECONOMIC PROGRAM
The State Minister responsible for the economy, Kemal Dervis, gave
detailed information on the new economic program and said, "The urgent
legal measures are the conditions needed so the economic program can be
succesful. The urgent precautions package will be implemented
immediately by the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Ministers. The
situation of the social group, which is affected by the crisis most,
will be particularly examined and the social support programs, which
will be established for this group, will be supported by international
resources. The problems of the banking sector do not show that all the
banks have an unhealthy structure. The banks were not well controled in
the past. We are determined that another gap does not occur. The
inflation rate will be high during the following months. However, we
will defeat inflation, which has been making the economy worse. The
inflation rate will decrease to 2% monthly at the end of this year. We
are also determined to decrease the inflation rate under 20%. It is
estimated that the economy will grow again at the end of summer. This U
turn was observed in countries such as Brazil, Mexico and South Korea
that experienced a similar crisis. The price policy in the public
sector will be determined without causing employment loss. In addition,
privatization is among our prioritized targets. Our preparations
concerning the arrangements in the urgent precautions package continue.
Some of them will be ready to be presented to the Turkish Grand
National Assembly next week". /Sabah/
[20] FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT WITH IMF FOR $6.2 BILLION CREDIT
Turkey and the IMF came to terms with the conditions of the framework
agreement for the release of $6.2 billion IMF credit. According to the
agreement, the banking sector will be strengthened and urgent measures
will be taken for the restructuring of the state-owned banks. Inflation
will rise temporarily, but will be decreased monthly to 2 % by the end
of the year. Gross National Income minus interests will be kept at 4 %
and for the public sector it will be 3.6%. The economy will shrink 2 %
in 2001. Legal bases will be concluded for the privatization. If market
conditions are suitable, the majority share of Telekom will be prepared
for the sale. Turkey will receive the $6.2 billion portion of the
existing stand-by credit which has not yet been drawn. IMF European
Director Michael Deppler, suggested the credit be used to support the
budget. /Milliyet/
[21] PROMISE FOR STRONG SUPPORT FROM THE WORLD BANK
World Bank Deputy Director and Chief Economist, Nicholas Stern said
they give full support to the economic program prepared by State
Minister for the Economy, Kemal Dervis. Stern said, "We believe this
program facilitates the recovery from the crisis. The World Bank will
give strong support." /Milliyet/
[22] TREASURY'S CRITICAL DAYS
Treasury has decided to borrow in the range of TL 2.5-3.5 quadrillion
through three-month bills today ahead of a TL 3.3 quadrillion
redemption on Wednesday. The Treasury said it would hold the auction on
the basis of a single pricing system where eligible bidders will buy
the bills at the highest interest rate quotation accepted by the
Treasury, regardless of the interest rate they offer. Markets have
viewed today's borrowing as critical. Market participants commented
favorably about the term of the auction and the single pricing system,
although that would mean the Treasury tolerating a relatively expensive
rollover. /Turkish Daily News/
[23] TURKISH TRADE DELEGATION RETURNS FROM JORDAN
A Turkish trade delegation which visited Baghdad and Jordan returned to
Turkey yesterday. Foreign Trade Undersecretary Kursad Tuzmen said that
he thought Turkey was on the verge of signing a $50-$60 million trade
agreement with Jordan. The visit, which was organized by the Uludag
Exporters' Association and the foreign trade undersecretary, ended with
good results, according to Tuzmen. He stated that Turkey and Jordan had
negotiated on such topics as industrial policy, trade, agriculture,
water and transportation. Undersecretary Tuzmen said that there were
opportunities for Turkey in the construction business and that Jordan's
current condition reminded him of Turkey in the 1980s. /Turkish News/
[24] BUSINESSMEN SUPPORT ECONOMIC PROGRAM
The representatives of the private sector, the heads of the Turkish
Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), the Istanbul
Chamber of Industry (ISO) and the Turkish Employers' Union
Confederation (TISK) came together and agreed to continue their support
for the economic program. They also requested the government and
opposition political parties fully and openly support the program.
/Milliyet/
[25] MUMCU'S TOURISM PROJECT
Minister of Tourism, Erkan Mumcu, visited Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit
and gave him information on the new projects. Mumcu said an income of
40 billion US dollars was targeted to be reached with four new
projects. Meanwhile, Ecevit said he would bring this issue to the
agenda during the leaders' summit. /Sabah/
[26] KOSGEB'S TOUR TO GREECE
The Chairmanship for Administration of Development of and Support to
Small and Medium Scale Industries (KOSGEB), Gaziantep Director Sedat
Karsli, said KOSGEB would organize a tour to Greece within the
framework of its tours abroad. Karsli stated KOSGEB would support half
of the costs of the Small and Medium-scale enterprises (KOBIs) which
will attend the tour. /Cumhuriyet/
[27] ISTANBUL PREPARES TO HOST 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES
Istanbul is preparing for a very important test to host the 2008
Olympic Games. A delegation of 17 people will evaluate the city on
20-25 March to examine the report presented to the International
Olympics Committee by Istanbul. Numerous preparations have been made so
the delegation can work comfortably. The commission will be welcomed by
Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz. Yilmaz will be accompanied by
Fikret Unlu, Governor of Istanbul, Erol Cakir and the Mayor of Istanbul
Metropolitan Municipality, Ali Mufit Gurtuna. /Sabah/
[28] TURKS PREPARE FOR OLDEST-KNOWN FESTIVAL
Nevruz, the oldest-known festival in the world, observed for more than
5,000 years at the beginning of every spring, will be observed this
year again on March 21 by all the Turkish and Turkish speaking
communities living throughout the world. As part of the festivities, a
group of students, on invitation from the Culture Ministry, visited
Ataturk's Mausoleum (Anitkabir) in Ankara on Monday. The 30 students
from 15 provinces throughout the country said that it was their first
visit to the Mausoleum. The students arrived in Ankara on Sunday and
will be taken to various plays, concerts and be shown around Ankara by
Culture Ministry officials. /Turkish News/
FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS... FROM THE COLUMNS...
[29] MEDIUM TERM GOALS DOMINATE PROGRAM BY ILNUR CEVIK (TURKISH DAILY
NEWS)
The long waited National Program is out and Turkey has set a vague
course towards achieving democratic standards that exist in other
civilized countries... Most of the democratic norms that are enjoyed by
European Union citizens are to be achieved in the medium term according
to the program. This is the only normal view of the social, economic
and political complications we are facing in our country as the forces
of progress and change struggle with those who want to main the status
quo. The fact that those who want to maintain the status quo are firmly
entrenched in the state apparatus forces those who want speedy progress
to be cautious. Deputy Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz has said medium term
means five years. Many of the real reforms seem to be spread over the
years and are rather vague. If this had been a democratization program
prepared by Turkey not for EU membership but simply because the country
wanted to democratize to catch up with the civilized world the national
program announced on Monday would have been more meaningful. But even
in this state that fact Turkey acknowledges it has defects and that it
wants to improve this situation is significant.
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